Life in Grey Pants

Mother's Day

2009-05-11T05:37:23Z

I would like to take the time to thank the most important woman in my life, my Mom. I have nothing but admiration and respect for her. She has sacrificed so much and worked so hard so that my sister and I could chase and pursue our goals in life. Unselfish, determined and hardworking are all traits that she has been able to exhibit and are all traits that I still try to achieve. Great leaders lead by example and I think that I have achieved much of what I have in life because of the life lessons that she has instilled in me and the character traits I have learned by just observing. These traits have been helpful to me in my rehab process. I could just get constantly frustrated or get lazy. Instead I want to work harder and be more determined to not let this happen again. So a big thank you to my Mom, Warene Weathers, on this Mother's day.

First Pic

2009-05-06T03:18:45Z

Ok so I just figured out how to put pictures up on the blog. I figured that this one would be fitting for the day. It comes from my first tour with Team USA in the summer of 2006. I took this picture specifically for my Grandma Weathers. Also notice the mans awesome fanny pack.

Cinco de Mayo Update

2009-05-06T03:08:17Z

Happy Cinco de Mayo! I always tell people that I am Mexican and most of the time people do not believe me. This would definitely make my Grandma Weathers unhappy. The family tree breaks down like this. My Grandma, who is Mexican, married my Grandpa Don, who is not. Then my Dad married my Mom who is Italian-Irish. So my sister and I are ¼ Mexican. Anyway, I would just like to take this opportunity to say hello to the Weathers side of the family and a big thanks for all the support.

A few things to mention:

I am staying on a strict throwing program. This week I am able to throw from about 60 feet. I threw yesterday and it still feels pretty good. I am pretty optimistic so far. Just keep getting my work in and hopefully stay on track and I should be ready to go in no time at all. At least it will seem like no time.
I got a new roommate. His name is Will Harris. I should hate him because he went to college at LSU. Turns out not every SEC opponent that I had is a terrible person. I met Will in Asheville and we were roommates in regular spring training this year. He was in Tulsa but was having a little bit of elbow pain. He is back on track now, so he came to extended so that he would be able face hitters and do the things he needed to do.

Catch Play

2009-05-01T03:24:58Z

Some interesting news to report from extended spring training. I threw a baseball for the first time since my injury today!!! The trainers and I have been talking about throwing for about a week now. I had been a little hesitant to throw because I still had a little stiffness in my elbow. At the same time I was excited about the possibility. The last two weeks have been great. I am finally to a point where I can feel my arm getting better day to day. So today I played catch at about 45 feet. About five out of the first eight throws went straight into the ground. It was really difficult to find my release point at first. Then the rust started to shake off and my arm actually felt pretty good. My problem has been pain at my arms full extension, so I was very conscious not to baby my throws. I wanted to throw as normal as I could. When I threw I really tried to get my arm to full extension, that way I could push through any mental barriers that I may have had that were protecting my arm. Everything felt pretty good. I was really happy with the way that my first day went. Its exciting to take this step in the right direction. Hopefully the next time I throw will be even better.

The Roommate- Update

2009-04-25T05:24:55Z

The player formerly known as my roommate, Mike Marbry, is now officially no longer my roommate. In extended this could be very happy news or very sad news. Baseball is a business and sometimes there is just not room for players in the organization. When this happens players get released and are on their own to decide whether they want to continue to try and play or move on with another profession. Fortunately this is very happy news! Today Mike was told that he would be reporting to Asheville to help out with the Tourist bullpen. Seems funny that only two days after being exposed in an interview on this very blog that he would be reporting to a full season team. I would like to take all the credit in this occasion but I won't. Marbry has been throwing really well here in Tucson and on top of that he had a very good year in Tri-Cities. Its time for the man to go show what he can do. As long as he remember the life lessons that I have instilled in him he should be carving in no time.

The Roommate

2009-04-22T00:53:29Z

Once Extended Spring started, I decided to move into the hotel. It is closer to the field and we get breakfast and dinner here. Now, I am going to take this opportunity to introduce everyone to my roommate. He is a pitcher by the name of Mike Marbry and we were teammates in Asheville in 07. I thought that we could do this in a question and answer forms. All of the questions will be asked by me, and I know most of the answers.

What is your full name?

"Michael Lee Marbry"

What is your hometown?

"Chapel Hill, NC. Home of the 2009 NCAA Basketball Champions."

Where did you play your college ball?

"UNC Wilmington"

Did you do any pitching in college?

"No, I actually hadn't pitched since middle school. For my Junior and Senior I was

the everyday shortstop. My first two years I was mostly a defensive replacement,

but I started about 30 games in those 2 years"

So, take us through your journey as a college shortstop to Rockies Extended Spring Training Pitcher, and roommate of Casey Weathers.

"I was a senior free agent sign with the Braves in 06'. I played one rookie league

season, then I was released. After that I finished school, and I worked at a baseball academy giving hitting lessons. I was fooling around pitching one day off of the mound and the owner told me that he thought I had the potential to pitch. Through a friend the Asheville manager Joe Mikulik got to see me throw a bullpen. I showed a low 90's fastball and the makings of a slider and that coupled with my raw ability I could turn into an asset for the Rockies organization."

So you reported straight to Asheville, where you met me. How was that experience?

"You big leagued me for the first week I was there. You didn't say one word to me."

What? No way! I was the nicest guy on the team.

"Maybe but you must have been pretty shy or pretty busy to not talk to me for a week."

Well that just sounds ridiculous. What made you want to room with me during Extended?

"Your DVD collection."

Thats an obvious answer. Anything else?

"Well we are both converted position players, and you eventually spoke to me when

we were in Asheville. So far you have been clean but we do have maids that clean our room for us.

Last question, What is the most important thing you have learned from me?

"You have to throw hard to throw hard."

A very good piece of advice. Thank you very much for helping me with this blog.

"No problem. I have to spend time with you since we share a hotel room."

Extended Spring Training

2009-04-20T22:28:38Z

Extended Spring Training is now in full swing. When spring training ends most of the players report to a full season team. There is also a number of guys who stay in Tucson to participate in Extended. There are about 50 guys here now and most guys will end up being placed on the short season teams after the draft in June. There are also players who are coming off of injuries such as myself. Injuries are inevitable on full season teams so the players need to always be prepared to take a roster spot on a full season team. I am having a good time in extended. My arm is continuing to get better and it is usually a nice day. The guys down here are pretty cool too. The atmosphere in extended is a lot more relaxed so I am just trying to get my work in, enjoy my time and get tan.

Nick Adenhart

2009-04-10T00:40:43Z

I just want to write a post to send out thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and fans of Nick Adenhart as well as the other people who died last night. I did not know him personally,but minor league baseball is a small community. He was a part of USA baseball and I have played with some of his former teammates. I have only heard positive things said about the man. Baseball suffered a serious loss today, he will be missed.

MRI Results

2009-03-22T00:41:07Z

Quick post to let everyone know how the results of my MRI went. As suspected by me, and medical doctors, everything is fine. Tommy John surgery calls for drilling holes into my arm so that the new ligament can be weaved and tied into where the old one was. These holes are still giving me some pain. Now we play the waiting game. There is really nothing more that the training staff can do. My body is just adjusting to the surgery a little slowly. One of the physicians that I talked to told me that a lot of times people can take up to six months for their bodies to compensate to replacement surgeries. Thats me, slowly healing body guy, but what can you do? I guess i will just drink a lot of milk so those holes in my bones heal faster.

Update

2009-03-18T05:34:00Z

First of all, Happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone. Today always makes me think of my Grandpa McGhee. So, I would like to say hello to the entire McGhee side of my family. Spring Training has been going well so far. I do not do much during the day. I usually go in early, about 7:30 AM, to do my physical therapy. The day starts at 9:00 AM for everyone. I usually stretch with the team. After that my day consists of watching my teammates play catch, and most of the other activities they do. I do get to shag batting practice, and run though. Yesterday, I had to leave workouts to get a MRI for my arm. It was not a big deal, I am about a month behind schedule. I am also constantly reminded that there is no such thing as "behind schedule." The MRI should let the trainers know what specifically is still holding me back. This way we can have a better plan of attack moving forward. I should get the results of the MRI tomorrow. I am excited about the results. I will be sure to pass that information along once i get it.

The Last 4 Months

2009-03-08T06:13:45Z

I am actually getting this blog going a little late. I am currently about 4 months into the rehab process. I had the surgery on October 31st. After that, i had the choice to rehab wherever I wanted. I thought it would be best to move to Denver so that I could do my physical therapy at Coors Field. This way I would be in the Rockies hands throughout my whole rehab process. I would go to physical therapy for 5 days a week. For the past 4 months that process has not changed much. I show up and get a heat pack on my arm for 15 minutes. After that I have an ultra sound on my arm for 5 minutes. Next is a soft tissue massage. The last thing we do is stretch my arm as far as it goes. Its been pretty repetitive, but I am seeing improvements. I worked with some great people in Denver. Other than Scott Marayama who is the medical coordinator for the Rockies, I did a lot of physical therapy at the Steadman Hawkins clinic. I worked primarily with Jason McWilliams, but the whole staff is great. So i basically wrote this post to say thanks to the people that have helped me in the physical therapy thus far.

Welcome

2009-03-06T05:15:22Z

Welcome to my blog "Life in Grey Pants." My name is Casey Weathers. I am a pitcher in The Rockies organization. I was drafted in 2007. In 2008, I; pitched in AA, pitched in the Texas League All-Star game, pitched in the Futures Game, pitched in the Olympics, pitched to one hitter in the fall league, fully tore my UCL, and had Tommy John surgery. The last fact is the reason for this blog. I was approached to write about what baseball is like for me in this 12-18 month recovery. This is where my roommate, Craig Baker, and I came up with the idea of Grey Pants. Rockies spring training has a very basic dress code for their players. You will be provided with, a Rockies hat, Rockies Jersey, black socks and white pants. Not my pants though, from march 7th until the middle of June you can spot me just a bit easier than the others. I will be the one in grey pants, every day. Greys signify one of two things. You are a coach or you are hurt. Like the scarlet letter of a professional baseball player. No one wants to be that guy. I am him unfortunately, but what can you do? So there is the title of the blog. It seems like a lengthy explanation, since my Dad is probably going to be the only one who reads this and I could have just called him directly with this information. Nevertheless I will try to keep the posts coming often and keep them short for those of you with attention spans like mine, the terrible kind.